Trail crews reopened the Independence Trail on Friday morning after damage from winter storms shut down access in late January. Matthew Green, chief ranger for the Sierra District of California State Parks, says the crews did an outstanding job. He adds that workers from the California Conservation Corps came out to assist in the efforts.Landslides caused the bulk of the damage on the Independence Trail, but Green says over 30 fallen trees needed to be removed as well. Looking ahead, the State Parks plans to continue repairs on sections of the trail where hikers are currently rerouted, and they hope to open the Highway 49 bridge parking lot late next month. To see the original article and more photos in The Union newspaper, CLICK HERE.